Spokane County removes sheriff commission requirement for SCRAPS, cites statutory authority
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Summary
The county revised code to allow Spokane Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS) to operate as statutory animal protection officers without holding limited commissions from the sheriff’s office, saying state RCWs authorize animal‑control enforcement under contract; the board approved the change unanimously.
Spokane County commissioners unanimously approved code revisions Dec. 16 that remove the local requirement that Spokane Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS) hold limited commissions from the sheriff’s office.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Nathan McCorkle told the board that RCW chapter 16 (cited in the hearing) authorizes animal protection officers to enforce animal control laws without a sheriff’s limited commission when they operate under a pertinent contract and within a jurisdiction. McCorkle said removing the special‑commission requirement gives SCRAPS greater flexibility to adopt internal procedures while remaining consistent with statutory and constitutional requirements for peace officers.
SCRAPS field operations manager Chris Miller said the organization plans to continue sending field staff through the state animal‑control academy and that most jurisdictions in Washington exercise animal‑control authority under statute rather than by special commission. No public testimony opposed the change; the board voted to approve the code revisions unanimously.
What was approved: Repeal of the code language requiring limited commission from the sheriff for SCRAPS officers and clarifying administrative responsibilities for animal protection officers in Spokane County Code Title 5 (Animals).